Suture tracking dilators and related methods

摘要

Suture tracking dilators and methods for removing implanted medical devices such as microstimulators or microsensors from living tissue are described. A suture tracking dilator has a slit running along its axial length. The slit can have a curved portion. A suture is attached to a medical device prior to its implantation. To remove the implanted medical device, the free end of the suture is exposed and inserted in the slit in the suture tracking dilator. The suture is held under tension at its free end, the dilator is inserted in the living tissue and the dilator follows the suture to the implanted medical device. The medical device is removed by pulling on the free end of the suture.

主权项

1. A surgical apparatus comprising:
a dilator, the dilator comprising:
a cylindrical tube having a hollow core, a distal end and a proximal end;a tubular portion having a distal end, a proximal end and a major radius;a conical portion having a distal end, a proximal end and a circular lateral cross section with a radius increasing from a minor radius at the distal end to a major radius at the proximal end, the proximal end of the conical portion coupled with the tubular portion; anda slit extending through the dilator from the distal end of the dilator to the proximal end of the dilator; wherein the slit defines a continuous longitudinal opening of fixed width into the hollow core of the dilator; and a handle having a proximal end, a distal end with a first fitting and a locking mechanism for releasably fastening the handle to the dilator, the handle configured to slide over the tubular portion when not fastened to the dilator.